How's this program

[steinwayguy]

Bach - Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1
Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
Schumann - Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13
Chopin - Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61
Chopin - Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52
Rachmaninoff - Etudes-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 6
Bartok - Sonata (1926)

[anda]

too much, i'd say - tiring for your audience! i'd leave out bach and rachmaninov
(imo)

[steinwayguy]

It's not a recital program, it's an audition program.

[tabris]

Where are you applying to?  I thought most auditions only required one major romantic work, it looks like you have three.  Maybe it's for some specific program.  If you can, I'd only play one of the Chopin since they're both so huge.  Other than that it sounds great.  Good luck on your audition.

[dbrainiak914]

I agree with tabris, take out a Chopin.  In that case, I would take out the Ballade.  They're both amazing pieces, but it seems a ton of people at your level (collegiate) play it.  And the Op. 61 takes a bit more practicing and musicality, IMO. 

Never heard the Schumann, but he is in the same time period (and style IMO) of Chopin.

But I would keep the Bach, Beethoven, Rach, Bartok.  Definitely.

[pianowelsh]

Quite heavy! Full of gorgeous pieces (i like your taste!) but too much for one concert. Are you playing all without a break? If you are i think the audience might like some repose after the Schumann a big sonata followed by a BIG variation set is about the max an average audience can take without a 'chatter break'. I dont know how you play but i might suggest a group of samller pieces somewhere to break up the density a little. could be chopin nocturnes of mazurkas or something like that. I like the idea of ending with the Bartok sonata (great piece) but i might be inclined to make it more of a focal point of the second half rather than making it compete with all those huge works of Chopin. Maybe another prelude of Rach or an etude tableux pair would be nice.  You are playing some really beautiful stuff - and im sure very well - you dont play a programme like that without a level of experience :-) but do really consider the density of your programmes VERY carefully. The audience want to be impressed but they also want to be charmed - you dont want them to leave feeling like they have had four chicken dinners!  Good luck with your recital

[steinwayguy]

One school requires two Chopin pieces, while all the rest require only a substantital romantic composition.

[laurenlynnette]

you have a beautiful program...  screw those who think it's too much.  You are not playing for an audience after all, but auditioning for someone or a panel of someones who need to be impressed.  If you can play a program like that, then f***ing do it. 

[tabris]

In that case I think you're set.  You've got an incredible program.  Blows anything I can play right out of the water.  Good luck

[steinwayguy]

Thanks, but in actuality. I'll be a (high school) senior this coming year, and I have a different program for this year, but I picked a program for the following year in case I have/want to reaudition at Juilliard, Curtis etc.